Chapter 110
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 110
Chapter Title: Aftermath and Ambush
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When Aint sculpted the model Saint Bird in the city hall, boldly revealing his name before everyone.
The incident was over.
The three Vile Breeds were all either killed or captured and subsequently transported to a Vienderk prison.
And in the additional search that followed, not a single Vile Breed was found.
Of course, nothing was certain.
“We can’t check their insides, after all.”
It was taboo to inspect another person’s aura hole or mana heart, and even someone like Aint couldn’t recklessly search their innermost beings.
But externally, there were no more individuals who seemed to be Vile Breeds, and tests using the Dragon God Cult’s artifacts yielded the same results.
Thus, the situation was provisionally concluded.
But it wasn’t truly over.
【Duke Vienderk announces the cancellation of the 198th Continental Academic Conference and will hold a memorial service for those who died in the Vile Breed incident…!】
Though the cause was clearly identified and the culprits caught, the incident had left a total of eleven victims.
The fact that the deceased were nobles and royals made it impossible to simply move on or continue with a joyful atmosphere.
【A wave of condolences for the victims pours in…】
The Continental Academic Conference was canceled, replaced by a memorial and funeral service.
But where there is darkness, there is also light.
*Fwishhh-*
As Aint drew back the curtains, the view outside the window was revealed.
Down below, a countless crowd had gathered.
“Aint Armian!”
“Aint Armian!”
And the name they were chanting.
The incident that had claimed eleven lives had given birth to a hero named Aint Armian.
“Please step back!”
Duke Vienderk had sent knights to protect him, but he still couldn’t take a single step outside.
“Ugh. A life without freedom. I really didn’t see this coming.”
- Get used to it. This will be your life from now on.
It was only natural for people to be fanatical about a hero.
When chaos descends, people look for someone to rely on. That is the hero.
The first emperor of Armian was once such a figure, and Aint Armian would become one as well.
Because that was the most likely path for the world to survive.
- By the way, that nouveau riche brat left first?
“Yes. He said he’d go ahead and move the Mana Stone Combination to where it’s needed. When I offered to go with him, he told me to stay and maintain this atmosphere a while longer before coming.”
Pernyan had departed first.
It was because moving the Mana Stone Combination would take a considerable amount of time, as it couldn't be transported using a magic circle.
- Where it’s needed?
“I think he said the Dragon God Cult.”
- The Dragon God Cult, eh? I don’t know about ‘needed,’ but it’s certainly a safe place.
“I agree.”
It was a place that outwardly professed to be a religion but was filled with outstanding mages.
And it was a place that abhorred demons and Vile Breeds.
At the very least, if the Mana Stone Combination arrived safely at the Dragon God Cult, it would be impossible for the Vile Breeds to try anything again, unless a demon itself was summoned.
- But will they accept it?
“I heard they’ll do anything as long as you pay them….”
- …They are the type. After the Fallenbergs, they’re the ones most obsessed with money.
To be precise, it was the magical experiments and research that money could fund.
“But what’s the Vile Breeds’ real objective? What do they gain from killing eleven people?”
- Let’s see. There are three possibilities I can surmise.
- One, to prevent the Continental Academic Conference from being held. Two, to cause chaos by killing powerful figures and weakening our side. Three…
*Knock, knock-*
Just then, someone knocked on the door.
“Sir Aint, you have a visitor.”
“A visitor?”
“…Well.”
Before the hesitant staff member could finish his sentence, the door burst open.
Standing there was a completely unexpected figure.
“…Duke Gakha?”
“We meet for the first time, Aint Armian.”
The master of Vienderk, Duke Grancis Vienderk.
“I apologize for the sudden visit. It’s a discourtesy I wouldn’t normally commit, but the circumstances being what they are, I was in a bit of a hurry.”
The Duke naturally took a seat on the sofa.
“Ah, not at all.”
At the sudden appearance of such a prominent figure, Aint had no time to fault him for it.
- Calm yourself, Aint.
Had Gardner, hanging from his neck, not infused him with energy, it would have taken him a little longer to compose himself.
- He may be the current Duke of Vienderk, but you are Aint Armian. The future emperor.
- There is no one you should feel small before.
- Besides, aren't you the hero of Valerich right now? From his perspective, he should be bowing in gratitude for you catching the Vile Breed.
Aint didn’t expect an actual bow, but thanks to the reminder, he shed his bewilderment.
Seeing this, a flicker of interest appeared in the Duke’s eyes.
“It is quite alright, Gakha. However, I expected that you would summon me.”
Although he had been a great help in resolving the situation, he had done so without any consultation with the lord of the territory.
It was a natural step for a displeased Duke to summon or seek out Aint at any time.
No matter what preparations Pernyan had made beforehand.
“How could I? You are the benefactor who eliminated a threat to Valerich. Taking a single step within my own territory is nothing.”
- This Duke of Vienderk is quite humble, isn’t he? The first one was so arrogant he had to be taught a lesson by the first emperor several times.
Aint did his best to ignore Gardner’s surprised commentary.
“I’ve received a rough report. Thanks to your efforts, the Vile Breeds were found and captured with minimal damage.”
“Yes.”
“Remarkable. Not only have you reclaimed the lost secret sword art of Armian at such a young age, but you’ve already achieved so much. The head of the Armian family must be very pleased.”
“You are too kind.”
Aint expressed his humility.
At that moment, Aint failed to notice the small glint that appeared in the Duke’s eyes.
Nor did he realize that, in that instant, the Duke’s judgment and conclusion about him had been finalized.
“However, it was difficult to see your stepping forward in that situation as an act of pure justice. My thought is that you were seeking a stage to make your name known, and Valerich became that stage.”
“That is…”
“Ah, do not be alarmed. I have no intention of blaming you. That is not why I came. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.”
“…The opposite, you say?”
Aint asked cautiously.
“Long ago, when the first emperor rose up in fury against the demons, I pride myself in saying that it was our Vienderk family that stood most steadfastly by his side.”
How.
“Would you not like to repeat that legend together once more?”
The Duke smiled faintly.
* * *
While Aint was meeting with the Duke, Pernyan was walking through the mountains with Rosalia, having left Valerich behind.
The reason for the past tense was that they had encountered an unexpected obstacle.
“……”
Pernyan and Rosalia faced off against a man who stood alone, blocking their path.
Through the gaps in his black attire, his pitch-black pupils were particularly prominent.
The man pointed a finger past Pernyan and Professor Rosalia.
“That.”
His voice was relatively deep.
“I’ll have to take it.”
“Who are you?”
“Is there a reason I should say?”
There was no need to ask.
As he began to reveal his presence in earnest, the faint demonic energy leaking out was proof that he was a Vile Breed.
“I’ll give it to you.”
“What nonsense is this?”
Rosalia’s brow furrowed at Pernyan’s sudden words, but he paid her no mind and continued.
“But first, let me ask one thing. I’ve been thinking and thinking, but I can’t find the answer.”
Pernyan had pondered and pondered why the Vile Breeds had killed eleven people.
But no clear answer came to him.
Summoning a demon at least had the potential to annihilate all the continental powers gathered for the academic conference in one fell swoop.
If that had succeeded, humanity would have suffered a tremendous blow.
But what could be gained by killing a mere eleven nobles?
“To stop the academic conference? Or just to blow off steam by killing at least some of them? Or perhaps…”
Pernyan paused for a moment.
“To have Vienderk expelled from the Empire? But is that possible with something of this scale?”
“It was to stop the academic conference.”
“I see.”
“Now, as promised, hand it over.”
“I’m afraid a promise without a contract carries no obligation to be kept. You should have gotten it in writing first.”
“You tricked me.”
“You lied too, so we’re even.”
He didn’t actually know if it was a lie or not, but that didn’t matter.
“Professor.”
“That was a pointless conversation, Pernyan.”
“Just in case, sir.”
Rosalia took a step forward.
“I believe I said something similar not too long ago, but I’ll say it again. I despise it when someone covets what is mine.”
“This is my first time coveting it.”
“The one behind you is the same, isn’t it? You filthy Vile Breed.”
She opened a subspace and took out her staff.
“Tell your master this, loud and clear. What the price for this is.”
From the cloudless, clear sky, snowflakes began to fall, one by one.
“Everyone, stand back. I will handle this one.”
“But…”
“Stand back.”
At Pernyan’s command, the hesitant Red Shell Knights retreated.
A combined attack would be effective, but if an enraged Rosalia decided to unleash her magic with full intent, it was highly likely to become 1+1 equals 1-1.
Above all.
“…Hah, dammit. Sir Harten.”
“Yes, I feel it too.”
The enemy was not alone.
“Die.”
Immediately after Rosalia’s gesture sent a rain of ice pouring down.
*Kieeeek!*
*Grrrr-*
From all over the mountain range, demonic beasts revealed themselves.
8th-grade shadow beasts flew through the sky, and dozens of muscular, 7th-grade demonic beasts resembling ogres, the Orgas, approached with heavy footfalls.
- *Thump! Thump!*
Pernyan secretly clutched the thoroughly excited necklace.
“Wait. It’s not your turn yet.”
Then he took out his staff and cast a spell.
*Rumble rumble rumble-*
A massive pile of rocks crashed down on the Orgas. That was the signal.
“Take two each! Finish them as quickly as possible and regroup at the carriage!”
“Yes!”
The Red Shell Knights, who had been holding their breath, kicked off the ground in unison.
*Kwoooaaar!*
By the time the Orgas batted away the rockslide and revealed themselves again, the knights’ swords were there to greet them.
—!
Despite steel meeting flesh, a loud boom echoed.
And the result was the same for all.
*Gaaah!*
The Orgas shrieked as they were sent flying, and the knights, not missing the opportunity, swung their swords again.
There was no way mere 7th-grade demonic beasts could stand against the Red Shell Knights, some of the finest in Fallenberg.
It didn't take long for all the Orgas to be beaten to a pulp and fall.
But they couldn’t immediately return to the carriage.
“…There are more enemies.”
“Same here.”
The Orgas were only the beginning.
* * *
Pernyan layered several defensive magic circles on the cart carrying the Mana Stone Combination while observing the situation.
The battle between Rosalia and the Vile Breed was a close match, while the fight between the knights and the Orgas was one-sided.
‘Easy.’
He hadn’t expected an attack on the way back, but the forces he had prepared for an ambush were not going to just disappear.
Pernyan believed they would fend them off without any trouble.
“More enemies!”
“There are a lot of demonic beasts!”
Even when the knights discovered more demonic beasts and re-engaged in battle, his opinion didn’t change.
And.
“Where do you think you’re going.”
It was the same now.
A fist of rock erupted from the ground and struck someone who had been approaching stealthily. The fist couldn’t advance further, but the opponent's concealment was completely broken.
“…Well, I’ve been found out. It was rather perfect, so how on earth?”
“I just figured something like this would happen.”
Nothing had been caught by the detection spells he had spread everywhere. However, Pernyan had other means.
“It’s not something you can find so easily just by doing that… Oh well. I’m just asking, just in case, but you don’t have any intention of just giving that to me, do you?”
“As if.”
“Right, I figured.”
The robed man, a Vile Breed, shrugged.
His atmosphere changed abruptly.
“Then I’ll just take it.”
The demonic energy extending from his right hand formed a giant fist that instantly shattered the rock.
Simultaneously, clumps of black flame flew toward Pernyan.
Pernyan hastily erected a wall of rock, but it melted away with ease.
“……!”
The destructive power was stronger than he’d expected, and he urgently cast his next spell.
*Crack-crack-crack-*
The earth split open, and his body, along with the cart, sank below. The fireballs struck empty ground.
“What a bothersome thing to do.”
The Vile Breed unhesitatingly threw himself into the fissure. The next moment, a current of magically infused sand engulfed him.
*Kagagagak-*
The sands, which could shred the hide of any ordinary monster in an instant, were blocked, unable to overcome the demonic energy.
“What a paltry tr…ick…?”
But the real attack was something else. Hidden within the sandstorm were glass bottles.
They were precisely timed by the sand to explode near the Vile Breed, showering his entire body.
Then, smoke began to rise from all sides. The flowing liquid ate away at his demonic energy.
“…This is that stuff, isn’t it? The holy water made by the Dragon God Cult. You really got me with this one!”
“Just one?”
Pernyan’s voice echoed from within the crevice. From between the walls of the fissure, steel spears shot out, crushing the corroded demonic energy.
And into those wounds, tiny spheres entered.
────!
A chain explosion occurred, twisting the Vile Breed’s body.
The spheres were none other than mana stones inscribed with Explosion.
“Kugh, that was a bit dangerous! But with just this, you think you can…!”
The tattered body of the Vile Breed began to regenerate rapidly.
Or rather, it was about to.
*KWAAAAAAANG!*
Had a massive greatsword, erupting like a volcano, not precisely aimed for an opening and pierced through his body, it might have.
“Huh…?”
The Vile Breed’s eyes widened, his entire lower body gone.
“Huh… huh…?”
As if unable to understand, he tilted his head.
“Where did this even come from?”
“Are those your last words?”
Not that he had any intention of listening, even if they were.
The greatsword swung upward from below.
The Vile Breed’s body was completely split in two.
An absurd amount of aura completely disintegrated the bisected flesh.